Bliz

So I was intrigued to see Panache was putting out a cut and sew foam cup bra, and when finally (finally), it became available grabbed one in my usual size of 34H. The initial release of Cappuccino doesn't excite me as much as the black and gold coloration coming this winter. But I'm not sure this bra is going to end up working for me.

Much to my surprise, the cups AND band were both huge! Lots of empty space along the top and too wide wires, plus I got the ol' Panache Pucker at the gore, where the edge of the cups pinched out with more empty space. ... It's not unlike what I experience in the Porcelain Elan T-shirt bra I had back at 38G. The band felt way too loose and I could stretch it out a mile, and with all the empty space it was hard to tell if this bra would work for me at a smaller size.

Believe me, I was not expecting to need a 32 band in Panache at any point in time, but I sent the 34H back to exchange for a 32H.
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Cappuccino colorway

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Updated on Jul 28, 2017 Flag this

So when I first picked up the new Caramel colorway the band measurements were a pinch over 29/34, snugger than your average new Jasmine. (Really, I measured a couple extra times to make sure since I'm familiar enough with an expected range for Jasmine.) This works out great for me, as I've lost just enough weight to be on the upper end of 34 bands, am going to second hook pretty fast on 36 bands, and can't return this particular bra (local boutique special order).

I did notice a bit of wrinkling on the cups, probably from band over stretching the first few wears, that has mostly smoothed out. ... It's probably more noticeable being a solid, lighter colorway, where prints would easily mask minor wrinkling near the seams. Situations like these are also why I prefer to wear a bra for about a month before writing a review. A handful of solid, day to day wears really helps shake out how well a bra will work for you in the long run, not unlike a pair of shoes.

The band is now at 30/35 so I've updated my initial measurements, but if you pick up the new Caramel colorway keep in mind it may be a bit more snug than expected your first few wears.
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Caramel colorway

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Updated on Jan 02, 2017 Flag this

This is one of those times where it's important to note the colorway in review because it ends up fitting differently from the rest.

Duck Egg Clara is indeed an abberation in fit compared to all the other colorways. It does have more room at the bottom, the wires do fit all right in my IMF where they belong, unlike with Heather or Slate/Teal. It is probably too much to hope Panache would go back to this particular cut on further Clara colors, as overall I rather enjoy the look of Clara, and the bottoms are just great (unlike Jasmine, sadface).

With Clara I get a not outrageous but lifted, round appearance, and not exactly east-west but further separated look than Envy or Jasmine.

Duck Egg colorway

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Updated on Dec 02, 2016 Flag this

Orianne's fit is not unlike the Duck Egg Panache Clara Full Cup Bra (7255) . The overall style of the bra is much more full cup tho'; the coverage reminds me of some of my old Elomi bras, and the gore is a whopping 5," where I'm used to 4. Not uncomfortable, but this will absolutely be an issue with those who are very close set. I do have a small amount of tissue it rests on at the very top but it's not an issue. The wire also comes up quite high under my arms and around my sides (this really is FULL COVERAGE), so ... if you have an issue with sensitivity in these areas/prefer less coverage you'll want to skip Orianne.

The wires are maybe .25" wider than I need; I can fit a finger width between where the wire ends and where my tissue does. But like the Clara I get a super round shape from Orianne, while also giving plenty of projection at the wire.

The color scheme and design is very classy and elegant. Super dark teal on soft gold organic leaf and vine shapes; not exactly floral, which I'm totally fine with. And the matching bottoms are microfiber, SO SOFT. They offer more coverage than the Clara, Envy, or Jasmine briefs without getting into high waisted territory. Which I also really appreciate.

I've worn this a few times and am super happy with my purchase. Also, totally worth it to pick up a second pair of the super comfy bottoms.
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Teal/Gold colorway

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Updated on Nov 13, 2016 Flag this

Cons:

Dear Panache, your plunges need to be plungier. See: Elomi's killer plunges. On your model the gore looks much lower; at my size it's 3.25," or at least 1.25" more than I like to see in a plunge. We sacrifice coverage (and maybe some support) at the center to be able to wear deep v necks. PLEASE PLUNGE MORE.

Also, this band is super stretchy! I bet the combo of soft stretch lace and I having 2 hooks instead of 3 is the key. Wore for half an hour, did light chores, lots of band movement. Went to second hooks, still some movement but not nearly so ... bad.

I should add I have been losing weight and it's possible I've lost enough to be in SUPER AWKWARD between band territory. So first I'll order the 34H, try it, and keep the one that fits best.

Pros:

SOFT! Based on the model I was expecting something like the Jasmine, but the lace is much softer, even more so than the Envy. I was hesitant to buy the matching bottoms because Jasmine bottoms just do not work for me, but... now that I have to exchange anyway I am going to give them a try.

Partial transparency. Also based on the model I was expecting the more opaque appearance like the Jasmine, but the two inner panels have a slight transparency, I love it.

Oh yeah, the straps! They're thinner than average for my size, which is GREAT! Usually I'm looking at .75-1" for straps, and tho' these straps are more like .6" it's a noticeable and welcome difference.

Neutral:

The grey is darker than expected, so those of you with darker skin tones looking for a good "nude" should consider this.
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Pearl Grey colorway

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Updated on Nov 14, 2016 Flag this

So I'd read that attaching/detaching the straps was an issue with this model (as in, incredibly difficult), looks like that's been solved. Tho' I will say that inserting the hook toward your center rather than away makes them more stable. They came attached facing the other way and kept popping off as I attempted to put on the bra.

As with the other S I've tried, I sized up in the cup to get enough depth, but I've got a slight shape mismatch at the top; just don't have the upper fullness the bra wants. The cookie inserts pretty much clear up the issue on my larger breast, there ... is still a wee amount on the smaller. It's not unlike what I experienced with the Freya 36G - Freya » Deco Moulded Plunge Bra (4234) , but with less coverage. It's not a deal breaker here, but I will most likely steer clear of S cuts in the future unless I can try one on before buying since wire width and depth at the wire are otherwise perfect, so I'm not sure going with my usual cup size would fix the issue.

Not that I have really any exposed back or halterneck tops, but now I have a good reason to get one. Also, I like the racerback option, since the straps on this bra are a bit further apart than I'm used to and I have tiny shoulders. In the usual configuration the straps placement was okay but close to too wide territory.

Will update this review should I encounter other issues or points of note.
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Black colorway

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Updated on May 26, 2016 Flag this

So this is my first time with an S cut from EM; I'd read it was a good idea to go up one cup size to get the depth needed, but I don't think I needed to. I experience a small amount of gap at the top of the cups without the corrective cookie pads. The cookie pads completely correct it in my larger breast, the smaller one still has it. The area of the cups near the gore is fine, sits flush as expected; the gap starts about 3" from the straps, similar to the Freya @Deco.

The wire width is perfect tho', so maybe the S cut ... won't ever give me a perfect fit, which is ok. This one is pretty damn close, and with the CHP and BM cuts giving me a perfect fit I'm not really complaining.

As for the look/feel, it's so nice to have a neutral bra that's not plain or one color. (Similarly, why I love the Panache Envy.) This one certainly does look glamorous; it has a wonderful vintage asthetic, with wee pompons on the lace bow at the center. I feel like this bra was designed with the classic 1940s movie star in a fancy robe/bedroom accoutrements look in mind.

This is only with a few minutes wearing/testing it out, so I'll be certain to update my review with longer wear if an issue presents itself.

As a note the matching panties run slightly small/tight, probably due to the lace construction. They too have the adorable pompons.
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Updated on May 26, 2016 Flag this

Thank goodness I lost a little weight before I actually used this tankini. When I first measured it I barely got it to stretch to 35.5" and trying it on was an exercise in patience and care to not pop seams. The band on this runs tight, which makes sense given you only have the one clasp position and swim wear expands when wet. Bordering on uncomfortable while dry, I figured in the water I'd be fine.

When I put it back on a few months later I had less trouble, getting into it. Next, a completely new experience for me, getting used to wearing a halterneck. Over a ... few hours I realized I didn't have to have it tied to absolute maximum tension, the band is supportive enough and the ties shape the cups while providing minor support. Halternecks aren't perfect tho'; six hours or so the spot behind my neck does get a little sore. But I figure that's a plenty acceptable amount of time for wear of a swimsuit. The foam cups don't add a ton of bulk while also giving shape; I can't speak to hiding nipples as mine don't tend to make themselves known often.

Bought the high waist briefs to go with this one; higher coverage than your average swim bottom but not as high as say Elomi Isis or Panache Britt, more like the Freya Bondi. I dunno about you but I kinda need all the help I can get when it comes to tummy support/coverage. The tankini length is a bit on the shorter side, which works for me just fine. But occasionally I did have to tug it down under the water in a self-conscious action.

Really what I'd like to see is less of the plastic clasp in swimwear. While I'm sure it's a concern to eliminate the possibility of rust, with only one setting the suit wears out faster (tho' I imagine your average wearer only gets 1-2 seasons out of use anyway), and if you want to adjust the height position of the band you have to be super careful so as not to release the clasp, which is the real annoyance.

Overall I'm super happy with this tankini, annoyance with the clasp aside.
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Atlantis colorway

Updated on Sep 25, 2016 Flag this

So lately Clara has had some lovely colors come out and a few months back I tried on Duck Egg blue because I read a review somewhere that noted it had more depth at the bottom than previous models.

I've tried on that colorway twice now, as well as Heather and Steel Blue. I can confirm that specifically Duck Egg blue has more depth than the other two, and probably all the previous models. (Got such a great deal on the Heather colorway I couldn't pass it up.)

Still, the Heather is comfortable and supportive. The color combo is lovely; something more than just a neutral. It sits just below ... my IMF with a little cup wrinkling and I have a slight triboob on one side in all three colorways. It's hardly noticeable, unless I'm looking for it. I've worn it a couple of full days without discomfort.

The bottoms are comfy, too! This is a damn shame seeing as how I am not a fan of the Jasmine bottoms where the Jasmine bras fit me so well. It's like I can have one or the other with Panache.

At some point (I guess soon?) I will go ahead and grab the Duck Egg colorway, because looks crazy good on me with my eye/skin coloration. I was not as thrilled with the Steel blue colorway on me as expected, so ultimately I'll take a pass knowing there's a shape mismatch anyway.
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Heather colorway

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Updated on Oct 22, 2016 Flag this

I'm generally not a fan of florals or pink, but I have been coming around to limited amounts of pink, provided they don't have a warm/peachy undertone. (Because orange hue looks awful on me.)

So, when I saw this pattern I was surprised to be drawn to it (I do like palm and vine prints), and decided it was time to try out the Freya padded half cup again, especially since I missed out on the Zentangle.

Well. Had I tried the Zentangle I would know then that I'd be entering square quadbood disaster. Seriously.

The cup is incredibly wide and flat. I could not get the wires to sit in ... my IMF, and the cups turned my boobs into a wall; flat up front, boobs pushed to the side, with spillage up top. Lots of empty space where the straps connected, the gore tacks at the bottom but tilts away at the top.

Visually, the print is excellent. I love the color combo, and as a lightly lined bra the bra is ... well super light! (nothing like my EMs). The straps weren't incredibly wide either. The gore is also not nearly as high as what I usually experience, and while the bra was comfy it just looked awful on me. I am going to exchange for the 34GG plunge version.

Sadface, this probably means the Freya Fancies longline will also be a disaster for me, so unless I can find a place to try on locally, I'll have to take a pass.
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Updated on Apr 12, 2017 Flag this